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Toads and Diamonds
Renée lives with her selfish stepmother and stepsister. She does all the housework and the chores. Her only escape from their demands is her daily walk to the spring for water. One day an old woman sitting on the bench near the spring asks for a glass of water, and Renée graciously brings her one. In thanks the old womanpresents her with a gift both strange and wonderful. When the stepmother sees Renée's gift, she immediately orders her daughter, Francine, to go to the spring and return with as rich a gift. But the gift Francine receives is not what either of them had expected.... The kind-and-unkind-sisters theme has long been a favorite of folklorists. In this fresh and charming version, Charlotte Huck's polished retelling and Anita Lobel's magnificent, humorous illustrations add up to a beautiful, timeless, and satisfying picture book.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 2, 2015
Now to be honest, I had heard of this story through an episode of “Adventures from the Book of Virtues” and I really enjoyed it! So, when I finally got the chance of reading this story in book format, I was just as impressed with this book that was written by Charlotte Huck along with illustrations by Anita Lobel, as I was with the TV episode!
There once lived a widow who had two daughters: one was her daughter Francine, who was spoiled and cruel like her mother and the other was Renee, who is kindhearted and is actually her stepdaughter. Renee is often mistreated by her stepmother and Francine as they force her to do all the housework, including getting water from the spring every day. One day, when Renee had to go to the spring to gather water, she meets up with an old woman and the old woman asks Renee if she could have some water. Renee gladly gives the old woman some water from her cup and the old woman decided to give Renee a reward for her kindness. The reward ends up being that whenever Renee speaks, flowers, diamonds and pearls will fall from her mouth. When Renee showed this gift to her stepmother and Francine, her stepmother decided that Francine must receive the same gift as Renee and she forces Francine to go out and meet the old woman by the spring.
Will Francine get the same gift as Renee?
Read this book to find out!
I actually really enjoyed this version of the classic French tale about the power of true kindness! I have read many fairy tales and folktales that has a “Cinderella” vibe to them and this tale definitely has the classic “nice girl who lives with a cruel step family” element woven into the story! Charlotte Huck’s storytelling is fantastic as Renee is portrayed as being a resourceful female protagonist who tries to think her way out of troublesome situations (just as the author stated in her author’s note that she wanted to create a more resourceful protagonist rather than the stereotypical helpless female protagonist that is often shown in some fairy tales and folktales). I was also impressed with the idea about how Renee is rewarded for her kindness by having pearls and flowers coming out of her mouth every time she talks since I wondered to myself about how a regular person would feel about having jewelry coming out of their mouths (personally, if someone rewarded me with the gift of getting diamonds and flowers, I wouldn’t want them to come out of my mouth)! Anita Lobel’s artwork is truly gorgeous to look at as the environment surrounding the characters is lushly drawn and they bring so much beauty to the story. I also loved the clothing that the characters wear as they represent the Renaissance Age and they bring an exotic tone to the story.
The only problem I have with this book is that in some of the artwork, the characters’ facial expressions look a little off, such as their mouths are almost opened in every panel and I have to wonder to myself about whether or not they really fit in well whenever the characters are getting angry or happy during a situation in the book.
Overall, “Toads and Diamonds” is a fantastic book about the power of kindness and how it can bring its own rewards. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the length of this book might be tiresome to smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
There once lived a widow who had two daughters: one was her daughter Francine, who was spoiled and cruel like her mother and the other was Renee, who is kindhearted and is actually her stepdaughter. Renee is often mistreated by her stepmother and Francine as they force her to do all the housework, including getting water from the spring every day. One day, when Renee had to go to the spring to gather water, she meets up with an old woman and the old woman asks Renee if she could have some water. Renee gladly gives the old woman some water from her cup and the old woman decided to give Renee a reward for her kindness. The reward ends up being that whenever Renee speaks, flowers, diamonds and pearls will fall from her mouth. When Renee showed this gift to her stepmother and Francine, her stepmother decided that Francine must receive the same gift as Renee and she forces Francine to go out and meet the old woman by the spring.
Will Francine get the same gift as Renee?
Read this book to find out!
I actually really enjoyed this version of the classic French tale about the power of true kindness! I have read many fairy tales and folktales that has a “Cinderella” vibe to them and this tale definitely has the classic “nice girl who lives with a cruel step family” element woven into the story! Charlotte Huck’s storytelling is fantastic as Renee is portrayed as being a resourceful female protagonist who tries to think her way out of troublesome situations (just as the author stated in her author’s note that she wanted to create a more resourceful protagonist rather than the stereotypical helpless female protagonist that is often shown in some fairy tales and folktales). I was also impressed with the idea about how Renee is rewarded for her kindness by having pearls and flowers coming out of her mouth every time she talks since I wondered to myself about how a regular person would feel about having jewelry coming out of their mouths (personally, if someone rewarded me with the gift of getting diamonds and flowers, I wouldn’t want them to come out of my mouth)! Anita Lobel’s artwork is truly gorgeous to look at as the environment surrounding the characters is lushly drawn and they bring so much beauty to the story. I also loved the clothing that the characters wear as they represent the Renaissance Age and they bring an exotic tone to the story.
The only problem I have with this book is that in some of the artwork, the characters’ facial expressions look a little off, such as their mouths are almost opened in every panel and I have to wonder to myself about whether or not they really fit in well whenever the characters are getting angry or happy during a situation in the book.
Overall, “Toads and Diamonds” is a fantastic book about the power of kindness and how it can bring its own rewards. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the length of this book might be tiresome to smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
October 30, 2019
In this French variant of the classic "good sister/bad sister" story - tale-type 480 in the Aarne-Thompson folklore classification system - two step-sisters find very different rewards for their different behavior. Goodhearted Renée, much put-upon by her unkind stepmother and stepsister, is rewarded with flowers and gemstones every time she speaks, after showing kindness to a bird and rabbit, on her way to the spring, and fetching a cool drink of water for an old woman. Selfish Francine, on the other hand, discovers that toads and snakes fall from her mouth when she speaks, after refusing to aid the same two creatures, and a beautiful lady (all the old woman in disguise) on her own trip to the spring.
Included by celebrated fairy-tale-salon author Charles Perrault in his 1697 collection, Histoires ou contes du temps passé: Les Contes de ma Mère l'Oie ("Stories or Fairy Tales from Bygone Eras: Tales of Mother Goose"), in which it was known simply as Les Fées ("The Fairies"), this story reminds me of any number of other variants, particularly the Grimm fairy-tale of Mother Holly . Charlotte Huck's retelling is engaging, and Anita Lobel's accompanying watercolor and gouache illustrations, although at first glance not really to my taste, won me over by the end. Recommended to young fairy-tale enthusiasts, and to fans of Anita Lobel's artwork.
Included by celebrated fairy-tale-salon author Charles Perrault in his 1697 collection, Histoires ou contes du temps passé: Les Contes de ma Mère l'Oie ("Stories or Fairy Tales from Bygone Eras: Tales of Mother Goose"), in which it was known simply as Les Fées ("The Fairies"), this story reminds me of any number of other variants, particularly the Grimm fairy-tale of Mother Holly . Charlotte Huck's retelling is engaging, and Anita Lobel's accompanying watercolor and gouache illustrations, although at first glance not really to my taste, won me over by the end. Recommended to young fairy-tale enthusiasts, and to fans of Anita Lobel's artwork.
February 12, 2014
I enjoyed this book that reminded me of Cinderella. I remember reading this book as a child and falling in love with the story. The young girl, Renee spends her life working for her stepmother and stepsister. She never complains and is rewarded in the end by a fairy with a gift for her willingness to help. Every time she speaks, jewels and flowers flow from her mouth. The selfishness of her stepsister results in a curse. Every time she speaks, toads and snakes fall from her mouth. As in the Cinderella stories, there is a happy ending. Renee marries a prince and they live happily ever after. This is a classic tale where good comes out on top. I would recommend this book. It would work well in the literature classroom for comparing it to other versions of the Cinderella story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2010
Kindness---- based on the many French versions of the 2 sisters that are very different: one is gifted with words becoming diamnonds and flowers; the other "gifted" with toads and snakes. Message: Words are powerful!! For the older class
June 19, 2018
Renee was a stepdaughter and was sent out to do an errand it took her so long because she was stopped by an old lady who gave her a gift that every time she spoke flowers and diamonds would fall out of her mouth and so when she returned her mother saw this and sent her her actual daughter out to get the same gift but when she arrived the daughter was so mean to everything that she encountered that was actually the lady and so she gave her a gift anyways it was a gift of snakes and toads falling out of her mouth when she spoke when she returned her mother was so mad and sent Renee away Renee did not know where to go and the prince had came by and thought she was beautiful and took her in they got married and lived happily ever after in the flowers and diamonds stop falling from her mouth because she no longer needed them but from the actual daughter her mother got sick of the snakes and toads so she kicked her out as well and she went to live in the cave and that's where she had always stayed
December 19, 2018
Plot
Stepsisters encounter a magical being who endows them with gifts matching their personality.
My Thoughts
This is a fun beginner book with clever illustrations. It doesn't vary much from the standard storyline for this particular fairytale. This strikes me a as something between a bedtime storybook and a first time "read to me" book (meaning the student/kid reads to the adult/older sibling).
Stepsisters encounter a magical being who endows them with gifts matching their personality.
My Thoughts
This is a fun beginner book with clever illustrations. It doesn't vary much from the standard storyline for this particular fairytale. This strikes me a as something between a bedtime storybook and a first time "read to me" book (meaning the student/kid reads to the adult/older sibling).
March 10, 2019
I really quite like this particular tale, but this version is NOT the one to bring home. The telling is only adequate and the illustrations are... subpar.
July 13, 2023
Good book to illustrate the truth that what is in your heart comes out of your mouth.
April 30, 2024
Found in L4L Volume 110
January 2, 2026
Toads and snakes make excellent pies, if you can teach 'em. 🐸🐍🥧
December 27, 2011
I am a huge fan of folktales. As Huck shares in an Author's Note, this story is a retelling of the very popular "Kind and Unkind Sisters".
Renee is the kind one. Her stepmother and stepsister, Francine, are unkind and treat Renee as a servant, giving constant demands. One of those demands, is to walk over a mile to fetch water from the spring twice a day. Renee enjoys the long walk and is kind to the creatures and strangers that she sees along the way. She helps an old woman and is given a gift of diamonds and flowers. The stepmother is greedy and wants Francine to have a gift also, so she sends her out to the spring as well. Francine is unkind to the animals she sees on the walk, and when a beautiful young woman asks for help, Francine is very rude. The beautiful young woman, is the old woman and the creatures, she curses Francine with a gift of toads and snakes. Renee is blamed for Francine's curse and banished from her home. Fortunately, a prince comes to her rescue. The same cannot be said for the unkind Francine.
Lobel's illustrations are beautiful as usual and humor can be found in her details, such as Francine's face hidden in the forest's cave.
Renee is the kind one. Her stepmother and stepsister, Francine, are unkind and treat Renee as a servant, giving constant demands. One of those demands, is to walk over a mile to fetch water from the spring twice a day. Renee enjoys the long walk and is kind to the creatures and strangers that she sees along the way. She helps an old woman and is given a gift of diamonds and flowers. The stepmother is greedy and wants Francine to have a gift also, so she sends her out to the spring as well. Francine is unkind to the animals she sees on the walk, and when a beautiful young woman asks for help, Francine is very rude. The beautiful young woman, is the old woman and the creatures, she curses Francine with a gift of toads and snakes. Renee is blamed for Francine's curse and banished from her home. Fortunately, a prince comes to her rescue. The same cannot be said for the unkind Francine.
Lobel's illustrations are beautiful as usual and humor can be found in her details, such as Francine's face hidden in the forest's cave.
December 3, 2007
Written by Charlotte S. Huck, illustrated by Anita Lobel. Published by Greenwillow Books, copyright 1996.
Grade level: 1st and up
A different version of the Cinderella story. While walking through the forest one day, Renee meets an old woman whom she treats very kindly. The old woman turned out to be a witch, and she gave Renee a gift of diamonds and roses falling from her mouth each time she speaks. When Renee gets home, her stepmother and sister are very jelous. Her stepsister goes to get the same gift from the witch, but instead of diamonds, she gets toads from her mouth because she treated the witch badly. Renee then ends up marrying the handsome prince, and her stepsister and stepmother end up lving in a cave.
If kids like the cinderella stories, they will like Toads and Diamonds, after they have read it a few times. The illustrations are fun, and the story is a great way to show what selfishness and cruelty will get you.
Possible themes/units: Cinderella versions, Treating others the way you want to be treated (golden rule)
Grade level: 1st and up
A different version of the Cinderella story. While walking through the forest one day, Renee meets an old woman whom she treats very kindly. The old woman turned out to be a witch, and she gave Renee a gift of diamonds and roses falling from her mouth each time she speaks. When Renee gets home, her stepmother and sister are very jelous. Her stepsister goes to get the same gift from the witch, but instead of diamonds, she gets toads from her mouth because she treated the witch badly. Renee then ends up marrying the handsome prince, and her stepsister and stepmother end up lving in a cave.
If kids like the cinderella stories, they will like Toads and Diamonds, after they have read it a few times. The illustrations are fun, and the story is a great way to show what selfishness and cruelty will get you.
Possible themes/units: Cinderella versions, Treating others the way you want to be treated (golden rule)
March 6, 2016
While the story is typical of some fairy tales, and it did hold my interest, the illustrations were not as engaging as Lobel's usual artistry.
There are two daughters of a nasty mother. One is kind, generous and loving, the other, the biological child, is nasty, self centered and vile. When Renee, the step daughter, comes upon an elderly woman, she is asked to fetch some water. While getting the water, she befriends a bird and a rabbit. Her reward from the old woman is that whenever she opens her mouth, diamonds and jewels will flow forth.
When the biological daughter is told to find the old lady and get her reward, She does not meet an elderly lady, but rather meets a lovely woman who requests water. Rude, nasty and begrudging, she is ugly to the critters along the way. Her reward from the lovely lady is that when she opens her mouth, snakes and toads will spew forth.
The mother tires of snakes and toads and sends her daughter away. Renee happens upon, a prince who uses the jewels as a dowry. They live ..... happily ever after.
There are two daughters of a nasty mother. One is kind, generous and loving, the other, the biological child, is nasty, self centered and vile. When Renee, the step daughter, comes upon an elderly woman, she is asked to fetch some water. While getting the water, she befriends a bird and a rabbit. Her reward from the old woman is that whenever she opens her mouth, diamonds and jewels will flow forth.
When the biological daughter is told to find the old lady and get her reward, She does not meet an elderly lady, but rather meets a lovely woman who requests water. Rude, nasty and begrudging, she is ugly to the critters along the way. Her reward from the lovely lady is that when she opens her mouth, snakes and toads will spew forth.
The mother tires of snakes and toads and sends her daughter away. Renee happens upon, a prince who uses the jewels as a dowry. They live ..... happily ever after.
September 17, 2012
I discovered this book in the storytelling section of my local library. I enjoyed the story of how one kind girl helps out an elderly woman and in return receives jewels and flowers that fall from her lips every time she spoke. Her stepsister who comes across rude and mean wants to receive the same gift from the elderly woman. On her way to the water well, she comes across a younger girl asking for some water. The stepsister refuses to help and receives the gift of toads and snakes to fall from her lips whenever she spoke. It is a tale of old that teaches you that only kindness gets you treasures whereas meanness gets you curses.
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February 17, 2011A Cinderella story from France
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March 27, 2012This was a really neat story, that I don't think I've ever heard before. A bit reminiscent of Cinderella.
April 11, 2023
This rating is for the edition that was adapted by Charlotte S. Huck and illustrated by Anita Lobel.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews